Long-range transportation plans include east-west dual highway

By Phil Livingston

Nathan Hayward III, Secretary of Transportation (DelDot), conducted a workshop last Thursday evening at the DelDot auditorium, Georgetown, presenting a synopsis of DelDot plans for Sussex County ranging from 2003 through 2008.
Robert L. Stickels, Sussex County Administer, presented several proposals under the caption “Capital Transportation Improvement Program” concerning future transportation plans for the
county. The Indian River Inlet Bridge will be the top priority due to erosion and corrosion and replacing the current bridge with a suspension bridge located approximately a few hundred yards to the west.
Approaches to the new bridge as well as all of the storm and hurricane evacuation routes will be rebuilt to include the 100-year flood plan elevation.
Western Sussex County proposals will include a North-South Limited Access Highway and US 13 Corridor Capacity Improvements.
East-West improvements will include Del. 36 between Milford and Greenwood, Del. 16 from Greenwood to the Delaware Bay, Del. 404 east past Delaware Tech to US 113 and on to Del. 5 to Del. 1 west of Lewes.
Plans also call for Del. 24 from US 113 east to Del. 1 intersection north of Rehoboth.
DelDot and the County Council are fully aware of the congestion on Del. 404 east of Georgetown to the Del. 1 intersection in Lewes and several proposals are in the plans to create a dual, limited access East-West roadway.
Under Capital Improvements Programs will be plans for expansion at the Georgetown Airport. Mr. Stickels noted that Boeing Aircraft Corporation of Seattle, Washington has designated the Georgetown Airport one of three airports worldwide that Boeing is using to complete their 737 aircraft with interiors, galleys and seating for the private and corporate market.
Georgetown also retrofits the 737’s with long range fuel tanks making it possible for the aircraft to fly in excess of 8.000 miles without refueling.
Mr. Hayward discussed plans for “VMS” Variable Message Signs being installed on Limited Access roads and particularly on the storm Evacuation coastal routes on which speed limits, traffic direction and alternate routes may be indicated.
These signs could also be used to include “Amber Alerts” such as used recently in West Coast kidnappings.

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